Pages

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Brioche du Carême - Hot Cross Buns

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...If I may, I'd like to have a word or two with those wonderful souls who have been following One Perfect Bite from its very hesitant beginnings. Initially, there were just four of you, two of whom were family. That is painfully true. Those four kept each other company for the longest time, but when that first Easter rolled around the ranks had swollen to a hundred or so, and I was comfortable posting recipes for seasonal foods that I thought my readers might enjoy. That April I featured a recipe for hot cross buns that I had been asked to post. Unfortunately, it was not the recipe my readers wanted to see. It was too involved for those who didn't have the leisure the retirement kitchen afforded, and, while it's taken a while, I've finally found one that will better suit those with less time on their hands. We've been featuring French recipes this week and while searching for foods that might be part of the French Easter celebration, I came across a recipe for hot cross buns, or brioche du carême. I'm told the buns are not standard fare in France, but that they can be found in the boulangeries of Alsace-Lorraine, probably because of the German influence in the region. The word carême means Lent and the Lenten buns made in France are nearly identical to their English counterpart, the hot cross buns which are eaten on Good Friday by the British. While I prefer the original recipe I posted for hot cross buns, I must admit this one is delicious as well. I hope you will like this easier version. Here's the recipe.

Ingredients:Dough1/4 cup water - at room temperature or slightly above1/2 cup lukewarm milk1/4 cup melted butter1 egg, lightly beaten3-1/2 cups all purpose flour1/4 cup sugar1-1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast1 teaspoon cinnamon1/2 teaspoon nutmegpinch of ground clovespinch of allspice1/2 teaspoon salt1/2 cup golden raisins1/4 cup finely chopped, mixed candied fruitGlaze2 tablespoons granulated sugar2 tablespoons waterIcing1/2 cup Confectioners' sugar2 teaspoons water waterDirections:1) Mix yeast, 1 cup flour, sugar, salt, and other spices in a bowl. In a separate bowl, mix milk and water together. Combine dry ingredients mixture, liquid ingredients, and butter in a large bowl. Beat for 2 to 3 minutes at medium speed. Add egg and beat 1 more minute. Stir in raisins, fruit, and enough of remaining flour to make a firm dough. Knead dough on a floured surface for about 5 to 7 minutes or until smooth and elastic. Use additional flour if necessary. Place in a lightly greased bowl; turn over to grease other side of the dough. Cover and let rise in a warm place. After about 15 minutes, test dough to see if it has risen sufficiently and is ready to be shaped. To test, gently stick two fingers into risen dough up to your second knuckle. Remove fingers. If indentations remain, dough is ready.2) Divide dough into 12 pieces. Shape pieces into balls and place them 3 inches apart on a lightly greased baking sheet. Cover and let rise in warm place until almost doubled, about 45 minutes to an hour. Bake in a preheated oven at 375 degrees F for 15 to 18 minutes, or until light brown on top. Remove from oven. Place baking sheet full of buns on a wire rack to cool. Prepare glaze, then spread it over the warm buns. Let buns continue to cool on baking sheet. When completely cool, fill a cake decorating bag, fitted with a round tip, with icing. Pipe an icing cross on each bun. Yield: 1 dozen buns.

I just posted hot cross buns yesterday! There are so many different recipes, and they all taste different. Whole Foods makes them with wheat bread, which my friend does not like at all because she says it makes them way too heavy. And they all have different add-ins.

I have never made hot cross buns, but was thinking of them last night. Before i went to bed, i did an internet search for recipes add found one i was planning on using. This one seems a bit easier, less rising time, so i may make it instead! Thanks for sharing!

Apparently our studies have followed parallel paths this week! What a lovely photo - this is similar to the recipe I used, but I was not aware of any "French connection." I love the glorious glaze on your hot cross buns! Have a blessed holiday, Mary!

Mary, You're an expert at blogging and baking! Fortunately for me, we have (still)some great old bakeries in New York where one can get hot cross buns and other old world specialties. Otherwise, I might have to learn to bake.

what a perfect Easter morning treat! I think I might give them a go...we decided to go out for Easter, so a nice treat with coffee in the morning these buns would make. And besides...what is Easter without hot cross buns? lol Have a great day, Mary!

Mary, we don't make hot cross buns for Easter, in my country is ussualy made a round sweet bread filled with sweet cheese. Your buns look and sound so fluffy, and I think they can be made in any shape any time of year. Thanks for sharing, have a blessed holyday!

Mary, thank you so much for visiting and leaving such a lovely comment on my blog. I'm thrilled to have discovered your stunning blog. I look forward to perusing your wonderful recipes as one of your many followers. In closing I would also like to wish you and your family a Happy Easter.

I love hot cross buns and I love your site... Although I hardly ever comment.. anywhere for that matter... I visit every day and LOVE LOVE LOVE all the wonderful things you make!! I have even tried a few or three...Happy Easter!!

Your hot cross buns look delicious. I bet it is so interesting to branch out and explore the cuisine from other countries. Thanks for sharing a simpler recipe. I know we all run short on time now and then. Have a wonderful day and thanks again for stopping by my blog.Katie

I'm so glad you found my blog, because it gave me the opportunity to find yours! You have a wonderful blog. I've found several recipes that look interesting and I'll have to try. Thanks for the lovely comments, and for the wonderful recipes you share!

I have yet to try baking hot cross buns and the blogs are flooding with recipes and providing wonderful photos to drool over! Your buns looks so soft and rich, I must find sometime to try it....Happy Easter to you Mary:)

These look so good. Your blog has come a long way in such a short period of time! Every day, I look forward to visiting One Perfect Bite and seeing what new recipe is in store for me. Have a wonderful Easter!

Hello Mary! I'm happy to be back from vacation and catching up on my blog reading -- I've missed you! What a fantastic round-up of Easter recipes this is...I'm wishing you and yours a very happy Easter!

Privacy Policy

This blog does not share personal information with third-parties nor does it store information about your visit for use other than to analyze content performance through the use of cookies, which you can turn off at anytime by modifying your Internet browser's settings. Third party vendors, including Google, use cookies to serve ads based on a a users prior visits to this website. Google's use of the DoubleClick cookie enables it and its partners to serve ads. This blog is not responsible for the republishing of the content found here on other Web sites or media without the owners permission. This privacy policy is subject to change without notice